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Celebrity: Dominick Dunne. Cover Image E-video E-video

Celebrity: Dominick Dunne.

Film Art Media. (Distributor). Kanopy (Firm) (Distributor).

Summary:

Set against the contrasting backdrops of Manhattan and Los Angeles, this film examines the life of one of the world́s greatest celebrities of print journalism - Dominick Dunne. ..Drawing on the memories of big names in Dunnés field, including Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, Tina Brown, Joan Didion and octogenarian New York Post gossip columnist Liz Smith as well as legendary Hollywood producer Robert Evans (The Godfather, Chinatown), the film uncovers what lies beneath a life. ..The film examines Dunnés life from childhood, and his early days of being "an outsider on the insidé: a theme that has informed his whole life. From his World War II service that made Dunne return an unlikely hero ́ awarded the Bronze Star for bravery ́ to his rise and ultimate fall in Hollywood and then total reincarnation as a writer in his fifties, this film explores the nature of reinvention, belief in oneself, and the all-pervasive cult of celebrity. ..Covering one-time star music producer Phil Spectoŕs murder trial in Los Angeles, Dunne returns to the scene of the famous crime that he covered over the years as Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine. The notorious trial of OJ Simpson, which divided a nation, cemented Dunnés reputation as Americás default commentator on celebrity crimes ́ "the Trollope of our time,"as sister-in-law, novelist and journalist Joan Didion describes him. ..Dominick Dunne gained fame through his vociferous campaigning on behalf of the victim ́ something close to his heart, as his own daughter died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, John Sweeney, in 1982. Sweeneýs skilful defence attorney ensured he spent just two years in prison for this violent crime. Phil Spectoŕs case ́ as Dunne sees it ́ is yet another example of a theatrical defence team prepared to stop at nothing to secure their client́s acquittal.

Record details

  • Physical Description: 1 online resource (streaming video file) (85 minutes): digital, .flv file, sound
  • Publisher: [San Francisco, California, USA] : Film Art Media, 2008.

Content descriptions

General Note:
Title from title frames.
In Process Record.
Film
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:
Originally produced by Film Art Media in 2008.
System Details Note:
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Language Note:
In English
Subject: Journalism.
Mass media > Study and teaching.
Genre: Media Studies.
Documentary films.


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